This film is part of our Best of 2024 list.
Stefan is a gentle construction worker in Brussels, preparing to return to his homeland of Romania for the summer holiday. During his walks and farewell visits to friends and family, he meets ShuXiu, a young Belgian-Chinese woman dedicating her studies to mosses. Her attention to the barely visible fascinates Stefan, inspiring him to focus even more on the treasures that constantly surround us—whether shared with those around us or growing quietly beneath our feet.
Here is a poetic city symphony that celebrates the unseen and the beauty of the small. Patient and contemplative, director Bas Devos unfolds the connection between city and nature and, against the backdrop of an emerging love story, the connection between people themselves. This sensory-rich film is beautifully captured by cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove, whose work was honored with the Robby Müller Award at this year’s Rotterdam Film Festival.